Region(s) Where I Provide Ceremonies

Languages Spoken

Celebrant since 1995

I am a 56 year old man living in central Wellington. Ritual and ceremony have played a major role in my life in a range of contexts - Iwi Maori, Scouting, church, and education being some examples. For well over 20 years I have served as a student and leader of ceremony and ritual in community settings, both within and outside of a church. I am not currently involved in an organised religion, and I continue to be available to serve as a celebrant and ritual maker for the community, working within the spiritual, cultural, family and personal frameworks of the people I work with.

Alongside my history in ceremony and ritual, I bring to my celebrant role a diverse work and life experience in different cultures: in health and social services, in administration, event management, theatre and community development, including within (but in no way limited to) iwi, Maori and LGBTI communities. I speak Te Reo Māori to an intermediate conversational level and I am well-versed in using this in ceremonial contexts.

I value social justice and diversity in my life; people who choose to use me as their celebrant will find me to have a flexible approach that aims to create the best ceremony appropriate to the situation and the people I'm working with. In addition to in-service training courses within the church context, I have completed the Certificate in Celebrant Studies from the Celebrant School in Auckland. I am well trained to serve as a celebrant and ritual maker for a wide range of ceremonies in many different situations, and I have substantial experience in my work.

While I am based in Wellington, I will consider requests to be a FIFO (Fly In, Fly Out) Celebrant, travelling to offer ceremonies that meet your needs. Any additional costs, for example, any travel or accommodation, are born by you. This is not a cheap option, however the costs are real and actual and even with these, my charges will be competitive with some of the celebrants operating from within your area.

I am more than happy to be the celebrant for marriages or civil unions (same-sex or opposite sex) for couples travelling to New Zealand for their big day. I am well networked and am able to help you with the logistics of getting here, getting hitched and getting back to party with your friends and families.

I look forward to working with you to make your next ceremony as special as it can be.